WJC-5498:1645 Charles 1st
“Newark Besieged” Silver Shilling.Emergency coinage made from silver plates from NewarkCastle and nearby which were cut and stamped.This one has the rarer spelling of Newark.As with
many of these siege coins, they were pierced and worn around the neck, possibly
as a sign of one’s loyalty to the crown.Unusually high grade on this example and benefiting
from coming out of the Ross Schraeder collection.£1,695

WCA-6419:1648 Charles 1st
“Pontefract Besieged” Silver Shilling.Emergency coinage made from silver plates from PontefractCastle and nearby which were cut and stamped.Many of these siege coins were pierced and
worn around the neck, possibly as a sign of one’s loyalty to the crown.This coin has not been pierced or plugged.Pontefract was a strategic Royalist stronghold.It was first besieged in December 1644 with
Lord Thomas Fairfax in command (although he arrived early 1645).Pontefract was again seized during the Second
English Civil War (the first being 1642-46 and not the Stephen & Matilda
civil war of 500 years earlier), this time by Colonel John Morrice
who declared it for Charles 1st.It was during this siege that coinage was struck.It is interesting to note that Pontefract and
Scarborough were the very last castles to hold out for the
king.This coin is ex CNG where it sold
for well over $5,000 in 2012, ex Ian Gordon collection, ex Philip deVicci collection and ex CNG (Sept 2000).Sold with the 2012 CNG lot ticket
and an extract from that catalogue (which is very detailed and most
interesting) together with another unidentified printed auction / list
entry.£3,495

Sixpence

WJC-5781:1644 Charles 1st
“Declaration” Sixpence.Exeter provincial mint with the
large Rose as the initial mark.Rarer smaller
letters variety which were also used on the groat.Unusually full of flan and in considerably
better grade than normally seen.A rare Charles 1st Civil War sixpence.£579

Threepence

WJC-6048:1644 Charles 1st
Hammered Silver “Declaration” Threepence.Civil war - Oxford mint.Clear detail.A denomination
which rarely turns up and when it does, there are nearly always problems.Not creased and with very strong detail.Initial mark is three Lis
over the declaration.Spink
2994.A very
nice coin.£425

WJC-3713:Charles 1st Hammered
Silver OXFORD Half Groat.Large Oxfordplume (rev), i.m. cross.Very good grade and rare.Reported to be better grade than several
major collection examples and certainly better than the Brooker
(#965) example (theirs pierced, plugged & just not nice).Coincraft state,
“Both Oxford (halfgroat) issues are rare; often found
holed or damaged, they are rarely available in VF”.£280

WJC-6056:1630 Dated Charles 1st
Silver Medal.A
silver medal commemorating the birth of the future king, Charles II.Whilst fascinating because the medal covers
the period of two very interesting and controversial British monarchs, it has
to be said that the overall design is probably one of the most uninspiring and
dreary of all the Charles 1st AND Charles II medals combined.Eimer 117a, Medallic Illustration 255/38.Apart from the 1625 Charles 1st
marriage medals (which are smaller), this is one of the earliest British silver
medals generally available.Aesthetics aside, a desirable piece.£165

WCom-5932:1642 English Civil War
Silver Medal.A military reward from
the 3rd Earl of Essex, Robert Devereaux
(Oliver Cromwell’s Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Parliamentary
army) to an actual soldier in the Cromwellian
army.Silver, cast
& chased, 30x22mm.Listed in Medallic Illustration
(M.I.298/117, pt. 1) as Rare.See here.The Civil War was a particularly unpleasant
period in British history.Tensions were
extremely high between not just the Charles 1st and the Cromwell
combatants, but in fact every citizen of the land.Loyalty to either the Parliamentarians or the
Royalists ran deep, suspicion was everywhere and normal, everyday people were
actually scared (with good reason) to show loyalty in case the other person was
in the opposite camp.This medal is a
tangible link with the Civil War, being not just a generic propaganda or
supporters’ medal, but an actual medal given by the 3rd Earl of
Essex, Robert Devereaux, with Cromwell’s blessing, to
a real soldier who fought in the campaign.SeeCommonwealth section.

WJC-6075:1640’s Charles 1st
Military Reward Badge – Delightfully Crude.“GOD BLES THE KING” with reversed D and N, single S for BLESS and ligated HE on THE.The obverse depicts Charles 1st, crowned & robed, facing
right, again in very crude style.Medallic
Illustration 367/251 and listed there as Extremely Rare.M.I. state that this was,”… a Military Reward
in some beleaguered place where no artist could be found”.It would be interesting to research where
exactly that place was in the UK.Ex Baldwin’s 2010, ex Glendinnings 1989.Sold with a pictorial sales catalogue cutting.£695